Abstract: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs and bronchial tubes, the lower airway, that impairs breathing, causes wheezing, coughing and excess mucus and phlegm production. Asthma is the source of about one-fourth of all emergency room admissions. Throat lozenges and orally-retained liquids, such as syrups, containing magnesium are used in the invention to rapidly terminate asthma attacks and prevent asthma attacks. Magnesium lozenges and magnesium orally-retained liquids are effective in asthma rescue. Treatment of asthma with orally-retained magnesium, an essential human nutrient, is much safer than treatment by drugs yet they appear as effective as current drugs. An added benefit from magnesium treatment is relaxation. A preferred composition is 100 mg of magnesium from 400 mg magnesium chloride in a 4-gram lozenge. Magnesium lozenges or orally-retained liquids are administered as needed to treat asthma attacks or prevent incipient asthma attacks.

Abstract: Present invention is a non-toxic, flavor stable, pleasant tasting composition releasing Zn.sup.2+ from compositions containing a highly ionizable zinc compound other than zinc gluconate that reduces the duration of common colds in humans. The composition is used in the oral cavity of a human suffering from a common cold. The composition comprises highly ionizable zinc compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as fructose, dextrose or sucrose with various additions. Compositions are unique in that they are non-toxic, pleasant tasting and do not have an offensive aftertaste, yet deliver zinc ions into oral tissues which may be used to treat common colds, reduce the duration of common colds or cure common colds in humans in need of such treatment. Compositions are non-toxic, thermally, chemically and flavor stable. The compositions may be prepared in the form of compressed tablets, lozenges, powders, liquids or chewing gums.

Abstract: Compositions and a general method are described to shorten the duration of common colds by administration of medicaments to and into the oral tissues, rather than to the nose, or by injection or by oral administration. Compositions for oral absorption by a human contain medicinal agents including antiviral agents, antirhinoviral agents, interferon, interferon inducers, T-cell lymphocyte mitogens and other agents desirable or theoretically useful in shortening the duration of common colds. All compositions include medicaments contained in a consumable, sweet pharmaceutical carrier, prepared in the form of a pleasant tasting lozenge, powder, liquid or chewable composition. All compositions are for delivery of medicinal agent to the oral and oral pharyngeal mucosa of a human with said composition being absent the normal offensive aftertaste of medicinal agent, and being intended for use in shortening the duration of common colds.

Abstract: Thermally, chemically and flavor stable compositions for oral absorption by a human containing zinc acetate with a consumable, sweet pharmaceutical carrier and prepared in the form of a pleasant testing lozenge, powder, liquid or chewable composition for delivery of zinc to the oral and oral pharyngeal mucosa of a human with said composition being absent the normal offensive aftertaste of zinc, and being primarily intended for use in treating common colds or in nutritional supplementation.

Abstract: An oral composition containing ionizable compounds of zinc flavor-masked with anethole and prepared in the forms of pleasant tasting lozenges, soft candies, syrups, powders and chewing gums for delivery of zinc to the oral and oral pharyngeal mucosa of a human with said composition being absent the taste or aftertaste of zinc, and being primarily intended for use in treating the common cold.

Abstract: This invention discloses and claims improved methods to reduce duration of common colds in humans through use of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc compounds topically and frequently applied to the oral mucosa by various means. The invention improves upon the prior art using zinc gluconate throat lozenges to reduce the duration of common colds and zinc borate intranasally as an astringent and decongestant in treatment of common colds.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed is a method to reduce duration of common colds in humans as evinced by reduction of duration of 10 common cold symptoms through use of zinc gluconate topically and frequently applied to the oral mucosa. The invention improves upon the prior art using zinc intranasally as an astringent and decongestant in treatment of common colds. Results of a clinical study are presented in support of disclosure and claims.

Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed is a method to reduce duration of common colds in humans as evinced by reduction of duration of 10 common cold symptoms through use of zinc gluconate topically and frequently applied to the oral mucosa. The invention improves upon the prior art using zinc intranasally as an astringent and decongestant in treatment of common colds. Results of a clinical study are presented in support of disclosure and claims.